2 barrel carb acceleration?

Question

I have a 78 El Camino with a 73 350 2 barrel, and I've noticed that it's fairly quick from a standstill, but kind of sluggish at higher speeds.

I've heard that 2 barrels are good for torque but not horsepower. Does that explain why the initial torque production kicks in a low speeds, but the top end horsepower isn't strong?

Answer 1

thats it exactly the reason 4 barrels are good is because the front 2 open up around 2500 to 3500 rpms letting fuel get the cylinders when it needs it..at higher rpms ur engine is ulling more and more vacuum and 2 barrels cant keep up with that... the faster the pistons go the more fuel is needed to create spark and keep the engine from stalling or spuddering

Answer 2

Your top end is weak because of low airflow from the 2-barrel carb. You can only move so much air through it...

Go to a 4 barrel and you will still have the same low end power with an increase at higher RPM (of course this is true if the carb is tuned).

Some loss of low end grunt with a 4 barrel carb can be blamed at too much fuel being given to a motor at a low speed (linkage operated secondaries versus vacuum operated).